Cowboys’ Dak Prescott on Eagles’ Jalen Carter Spit: ‘He Was Insulting Me’

Philadelphia defensive deal with Jalen Carter apologized after he was ejected for spitting on Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott moments after the Eagles’ pregame Tremendous Bowl championship celebration.

Carter was tossed for unsportsmanlike conduct six seconds into Philadelphia’s 24-20 victory within the lightning-delayed NFL season opener that ended early Friday. The Eagles had been hit with a 15-yard penalty earlier than the primary snap from scrimmage, and the Cowboys scored on the opening drive on Javonte Williams’ 1-yard landing run.

“It was extra of a shock than something,” Prescott mentioned. “The refs clearly noticed it. Threw the flag. I used to be like, `Hell yeah! We get 15 yards to begin the sport off.′ Didn’t understand he was getting ejected. Unlucky that he did. Hell of a participant.”

Prescott and Carter exchanged phrases after the opening kickoff, and Carter spit on Prescott’s jersey earlier than backing away. Prescott shortly motioned to a close-by official who threw the flag and despatched Carter packing. Followers booed as Carter walked off slowly, holding his helmet in his palms behind his again.

Carter apologized after the sport.

“It was a mistake that occurred on my aspect. It received’t occur once more,” Carter mentioned. “I really feel dangerous for simply my teammates and followers on the market. I am doing it for them. I am doing it for my household, additionally. However the followers, they confirmed essentially the most love.”

Prescott mentioned he merely spit straight forward as he often would, just for the saliva to land within the space close to Carter, which raised the ire of the defenseman.

Prescott mentioned Carter requested, “You attempting to spit on me?”

“He was insulting me,” Prescott mentioned. “I wouldn’t spit on anyone. I’m undoubtedly not attempting to spit on you. We’re about to play a recreation.”

Carter may very well be headed towards a hefty monetary penalty, if not worse, within the first main take a look at of the NFL’s elevated emphasis this season on sportsmanship.

“One of many officers noticed him spitting on an opponent,” referee Shawn Smith instructed a pool reporter. “It’s a disqualifiable foul within the recreation. It’s a non-football act.”

The Eagles took Carter out of Georgia with the No. 9 total decide within the 2023 draft.

The 24-year-old Carter has shortly blossomed into one of many prime defensive linemen and performed a key position in serving to the Eagles win the Tremendous Bowl final season.

“I wished to be on the market with the blokes so dangerous,” Carter mentioned.

Simply this week, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio praised the sting Carter dropped at the unit.

“I don’t know that nastiness is the proper phrase,” Fangio mentioned. “I simply assume he has to play with the proper mindset to achieve his potential, or come near reaching his potential. He’s simply bought to be on prime of the small print, play with nice effort, and be centered.”

He could not keep centered lengthy sufficient within the opener to take a defensive snap.

Dak Prescott threw for 188 yards within the Cowboys’ 24-20 loss to the Eagles. (Picture by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)

Carter’s inventory within the 2023 draft slid due to his position in a deadly automotive crash in faculty that killed a teammate, offensive lineman Devin Willock, and a Georgia recruiting staffer, Chandler LeCroy.

The Eagles felt that they had the proper veteran management and the skilled form of atmosphere that might assist him thrive and put off-field points behind him.

Carter nonetheless struggled with on-field conduct over his first two seasons.

He was whistled for 3 pointless roughness penalties final season and had seven complete penalties. Carter was additionally benched to begin a recreation in a disciplinary transfer in opposition to Atlanta. He was then fined greater than $17,000 for an open-handed blow in opposition to the Washington Commanders within the NFC championship recreation.

Eagles basic supervisor Howie Roseman mentioned throughout coaching camp final month that Carter had tried to maneuver past his conduct as he developed right into a drive for the champs.

“Jalen’s proven how dominating he might be as a participant,” Roseman mentioned. “When you will have that man and when defensive offensive linemen are sliding to that man, it creates alternatives for the blokes taking part in subsequent to him. You must depend for him. When you’re going to dam him one on one, he’s bought an amazing likelihood to win these matchups. I imply, he’s that form of participant, and he’s a particular participant.”

Reporting by The Related Press.

Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, and observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised e-newsletter every day!